Level holder



Dec. 1, 1959 A. e. GAVRUN, SR

LEVEL HOLDER Filed Oct. 15, 1957 Andrew 6. Gavrun, 5/:

1N VENTOR Mm BY ymq 19% United States Patent 2,915,213 LEVEL HOLDER Andrew G. Gavrun, Sr., Hopkins, Mich.

Application October 15, 1957, Serial No. 690,324

3 Claims. or. 248-229) This invention relates generally to clamping devices, and more particularly to a holder for levels.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an 7 adjustable level holder which may be used for sighting,

so that a user may aline articles to be placed in a row, as for instance a farmer who wishes to place fence posts in a straight row.

Another object of this invention is to provide a level holder which is adapted to accommodate a variety of posts having different cross sections, so that this holder is given more general utility.

A further object of the invention is to produce a level holder which will be simple and inexpensive and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view illustrating the use of the present invention on a post;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Figure l; I

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken to the center of the post of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one type of post clamping element;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the device illustrating its use with a second type of post clamp; and

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by reference line 66 of Figure 5.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the level holder comprising the present invention illustrating such use in holding a conventional spirit level 12, on to a square post 14.

The level holder 10 comprises a post clamping portion consisting of two spaced parallel flat bars 16, having longitudinal slots 18 formed therein, and an opening 20 formed through the center of bar 16 between the slots 18. Either one or both of the bars 16 may have opening 20 formed therein for a purpose which will be described below. In order to secure these bars '16 to the post 14, long bolts 22 are passed through slots 18, and the bars 16 may then be locked onto either side of the post 14 by means of wing nuts 24 which may be threaded up onto the bolts 22.

Looking now at Figures 1, 2 and 3 in particular, it may be seen that a pivot bolt 26 having threads thereon, is passed through opening 20 in one of the bars 16, with the head of the bolt 28 facing the post 14.

Semi-circular shaped plates 30 having openings 32 formed therein, are pivotally mounted onto bolt 26, and

' are held in spaced relation by means of a spacer or block 34 having a bore 36' therethrough in alined relation to holes 32 in plates 30. A wing nut 36 is threaded up onto bolt 26 and so holds the plates 30 and spacer 34 in proper relation to each other, as well as in proper angular relation to the bolt 26.

At either end of the upper edges of plates 30 are inwardly facing flanges orv jaws 38, which serve to grasp the lower or base portion of the level 12. Thus it may be seen'that the level may be adjusted to any desired position, and locked therein by means of wing nut 36. Then, the level may be used for sighting.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 5 and 6, a modified form of the invention may beseen, which is particularly adapted to accommodate posts of circular cross section. The clamping elements consist of a circular portion 50 having straight extending flanges 52 at either end thereof. The bolts 22 and corresponding wing nuts 24 are then used to clamp the clamping elements onto. a circular post 54. Since the curved portion 50 would interfere with the levelclamp. of the holder, a U-shaped bracket 56 is connected to one of the flanges 52 by means of bolt 22. In order to prevent undesired rotation of the level, a second bolt 58 is passed through alined openings in the flange 52 and bracket 56, and locked in place by means of a nut 60. Thus rotation about bolt 22 is prevented. The bolt 26, which holds the clamping elements for the level, is then secured to the opposite'l'eg of bracket 56, and all the other parts of the device are the same as previously described.

It should be noted, of course, that a carriage bolt may be used in place of bolt 26 shown in the drawings, so that when the wing nut 36 is tightened up, there will be a positive locking of bolt 26 against rotation. In fact; a lock washer may also be used.

Referring to the clamping elements designed for the circular post 54, his to be noted that if a post of smaller diameter is to be used, then a split ring adapter may be inserted on the inner surface of circular portions 50, so that this small diameter may be securely held by the post clamping elements.

It may now be seen that I have herein shown and described a new and improved type of level holder which may be used by the layman as a sighting instrument.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A holder for mounting a spirit level on a post, said holder comprising: a pair of spaced, opposed bars for the reception of the post therebetween, said bars including apertured end portions projecting beyond the post, bolts connecting said apertured end portions for clamping the bars on the post, and a clamp for mounting the level for pivotal and sliding adjustment on one of the bars, said clamp comprising a horizontal pivot bolt mounted on said one bar, a pair of spaced, opposed plates journaled on said pivot bolt, a spacing block for the plates journaled on the pivot bolt and engageable beneath the level for supporting same for sliding adjustment, a pair of opposed, coacting jaws on the plates engageable with the base of the level for securing same on the block, and a nut threaded on the pivot bolt for closing the jaws on the level for securing same in pivotale ly and slidably adjusted positions.

2. A holder for mounting a spirit level on a square post, said holder comprising: a pair of straight metallic bars for the reception of the post therebetween, said bars beyond thewpost, .connectingbolts adjustably mounted in said longitudinally slotted end portions of the bars for securing said bars in position on the post, a pivot bolt mounted horizontally. on one of the bars at an-intermediate point, a pair of spaced, opposed plates slidably .and rotatably mounted on said pivot bolt, a spacing block for said plates slidably and rotatably. mounted on the pivot bolt, opposed jaws on-the-plate vengageable with the base portion of the level for securing same on 3. A holder for mounting a spirit level on a post, said holder comprising: a pair of opposed, arcuate bars for the reception of the post therebetween; said bars includ- Ling spaced, opposed, parallel end portions projecting be- .yond the post, bolts. mounted in said parallel end portions for securingthe' bars on the post, a substantially U-shaped bracket mounted on one of said bolts, a pivot ,boltmounted horizontally on one end portion of said bracket, a pair oftspaced, opposed plates rotatably and .slidably mountedon said pivot bolt, a spacing block for the plates rotatably and slidabl' mounted on the pivot bolt and engageable beneath the level for supporting same for longitudinal sliding adjustment, opposed jaws on the plates engageable with the base portion of the level, and a nut threaded on the pivot bolt for frictionally securing the plates and the block in rotatably adjusted position and for closing the jaws on the level for retaining same in slidably adjusted position.

References Cited in the file oft-this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 632,858 Walbel Sept. 12, 1899 898,092 Carrier -Q. Sept. 8, 1908 964,376 Blackburn July 12, 1910 1,017,229 Nelson Feb. 13, 1912 1,070,292 Robb Aug. 12, 1913 1,181,960 Rosenbluth May 2, 1916 1,657,038 Ross -Jan. 24,1928 1,798,613 Manson Mar. 31, 1931 2,762,128 Whelan Sept. 11, 1956 2,795,859 Buschbach 'June 18, 1957 

